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Glossary of Technical Terms

 

ADSL:

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber (or Services) Line.

Broadband:

Data connections of greater speed than maximum available on conventional dial up connections. In practice generally refers to 500 Kilobits per second and above.

DSL:

Digital Subscriber (or Services) Line.

DTV:

Digital Television

DV:

Digital Video.

EPG:

Electronic Program Guide. User interface for digital television systems.

Firmware:

Software integrated into hardware of device by manufacturer, not end user. Stored on solid state chips rather than magnetic media, CD ROM etc.

HTML:

Hyper Text Mark-up Language. The code which forms the basis of pages on the internet.

IP, IP Address:

Internet Protocol. Enables computer networking by assigning unique numerical identities (IP addresses) to connected machines, and establishing rules of data transfer.

ISDN:

Integrated Systems Digital Network.

ISP:

Internet Service Provider. Company or institution providing user access to the Internet, such as AOL, Freeserve or Demon.

Java:

'Write once, run anywhere' language designed by Sun Microsystems that functions on any device or operating system.

MP3, MPEG3:

Moving Picture Experts Group audio layer 3. File format that allows CD quality audio to be compressed to a size practical for Internet distribution and storage on portable devices. Typical file size is 1 Megabyte per minute of music.

OS:

Operating System, such as Windows, Mac OS or Linux.

PVR:

Personal Video Recorder. Device that instantaneously records audio-visual material direct to a hard disc.

WAP:

Wireless Applications Protocol. Enables mobile telephones to access specifically designed information services hosted on computer networks.

Windows CE:

Consumer Electronics. Version of Microsoft's Windows operating system designed for hand held computers, set top boxes etc.

WML:

Wireless Mark-up Language. Similar to HTML but designed for WAP enabled mobile phones

 

 
 

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